The totally off-topic thread

[anat0l]

There's some very cheap flights LON-GVA right now v.v.

Not knowing schedule is a pain! But happy to play it by ear.

The timing of flights between LON and GVA is interesting. The funny thing about Switzerland is that it is so small (a la most of Europe), that even though my town doesn't have its own airport, GVA is approximately 30-60 minutes train ride away. People in Brisbane can easily spend that much time getting to or from work everyday.

 

[Flashback]

Not knowing schedule is a pain! But happy to play it by ear.

The timing of flights between LON and GVA is interesting. The funny thing about Switzerland is that it is so small (a la most of Europe), that even though my town doesn't have its own airport, GVA is approximately 30-60 minutes train ride away. People in Brisbane can easily spend that much time getting to or from work everyday.

Last client I was working with here I was a 1.5-2 hour commute each way.... glad I'm working from home again now!

 

[JohnK]

Yep...can't have them both

It is possible with flexible working conditions.

 

[JessicaTam]

Confirmation today that Sydney is once again my home from next week, at least for the working week. My parents last night pointed out I might need some new winter clothes, considering I was wearing track pants purchased in 2002 and had a Sydney 2000 Olympics jumper on. Cold weather gear goes the distance in Brisbane!

You can wave to JohnK as your aircraft pass each other!

Must be a week for new jobs. I am spending the next three months doing the boss' job. Now to fit in some flights as I "manage my own hours". :mrgreen:

 

[JohnK]

You can wave to JohnK as your aircraft pass each other!

Or we can swap jobs?

 

[QF WP]

Yes (thanks), after 8 months off. Now I will have the money but not the time to travel, arrrghhh.

A small price to pay markis10. You'll keep Plat on at least one of your programs. Now, are you going to be on the same flights as JohnK??

Congratulations on the move, now we gave a Mod in SYD again

 

[JohnK]

Now, are you going to be on the same flights as JohnK??

Opposite direction.

 

[RB]

Great sale on with BA right now. After the Avios part pay discount, 115 GBP return for 2 people to Helsinki (40 TP return in whY) is pretty decent. Also nabbed Malaga and Warsaw for a similar cash outlay.

I am currently in Malaga & having a great time. Plenty to see & tapas & beer & wine are all good & cheap

 

[Flashback]

I am currently in Malaga & having a great time. Plenty to see & tapas & beer & wine are all good & cheap

We were thinking of visiting Seville and Granada while we're over that way. How long would you suggest in Malaga? Not a fan of the heat, so will be going in February - still an average of 15 degrees which is fine for us

Thought about Marbella, but it's full of British tourists! Pondering as well if we have time to head to Gibraltar or should leave that for another trip.

 

[markis10]

Opposite direction.

Yep, I will most most of the delays

 

[RB]

We were thinking of visiting Seville and Granada while we're over that way. How long would you suggest in Malaga? Not a fan of the heat, so will be going in February - still an average of 15 degrees which is fine for us

Thought about Marbella, but it's full of British tourists! Pondering as well if we have time to head to Gibraltar or should leave that for another trip.

We have had a 1.5 day stay and have been on the go most of the time but we are walkers rather than sit on the beach types ( love to sit & drink & people watch though & Malaga is 1st class for this). Overall has been comfortable last couple of days, the town thermometers have been showing around 24c but some concrete areas have felt hotter. The British haven't stood out too bad where we have been but plenty of other characters to watch! Have also been to Seville & Granada during this trip. Will be doing a trip report when home in Aust mid July or I am happy to give some details via PM

 

[markis10]

A small price to pay markis10. You'll keep Plat on at least one of your programs. Now, are you going to be on the same flights as JohnK??

Congratulations on the move, now we gave a Mod in SYD again

Cheers, will be pulling the LTG parachute on my QFF membership come November, the simpler and fairer system along with the reduction in quality of the J lounges makes WP far less attractive. QF want a price premium of $40-50 a flight, working in the same street as two Rockpools means I can buy an F lounge type meal every week and still be ahead.

 

[drron]

Travelling around Scotland you really feel that it is possible that the Scots will vote for independence in September.At least the Yes voters are more demonstrative with Yes signs in windows,on cars,billboards and graffiti.Not a No to be seen.
However the best comment came from an old fellow I met at the Bannockburn battlefield.He asked me why I had come to Scotland and I told him about my ancestry.He replied that my family perfectly illustrated the problems of Scotland.At Bannockburn my fathers ancestors would have almost certainly have fought with Robert the Bruce but my mothers were more than likely to have fought with the English.
He then said at Culloden it was likely the reverse.You see he said us Scots never learn from history.We have always fought each other and someone else always wins in the end.We are doing it again now.

 

[penegal]

I must be the most underpaid person in Australia

 

[medhead]

I must be the most underpaid person in Australia

I might have to fight you for that title. I've only just realised I earn less than the average in Australia; less than teachers and cleaners and plumbers.
Apparently it takes those people one month to pay $6000 to the government. But at the rate I pay tax it takes me significantly longer to pay $6000.

 

[penegal]

I might have to fight you for that title. I've only just realised I earn less than the average in Australia; less than teachers and cleaners and plumbers.
Apparently it takes those people one month to pay $6000 to the government. But at the rate I pay tax it takes me significantly longer to pay $6000.

1) I don't think the "average" teacher or cleaner earn $218,784.40 per annum

Plumbers are certainly likely to earn that much.

This country really shot itself in the foot when it went around closing down all the old technical schools. The combination of self-regulating trades, and limited education opportunities (apprenticeship or technical school) has led to a systemic shortage of qualified trades people. Various mining and construction booms certainly didn't help this at all.

If I had my time again I should have learnt a trade... 2 degrees and years of experience doesn't mean jack these days.


2) Very clever - I have little doubt that would have an interesting taxation position given what I know about you.

 

[blackcat20]

I must be the most underpaid person in Australia

Somehow I think this unlikely. When you get a low income bonus in your tax refund, come talk to me

 

[Pushka]

This country really shot itself in the foot when it went around closing down all the old technical schools. The combination of self-regulating trades, and limited education opportunities (apprenticeship or technical school) has led to a systemic shortage of qualified trades people. Various mining and construction booms certainly didn't help this at all.

Totally agree with that. I cannot imagine their logic. Were Governments trying to somehow "level the education field" in an oblique mind thought that somehow technical schools demonstrated inequality because they were somehow inferior?

When did everyone have to get a Uni degree before they could say they were properly educated?

 

[Hvr]

1) I don't think the "average" teacher or cleaner earn $218,784.40 per annum

Plumbers are certainly likely to earn that much.

This country really shot itself in the foot when it went around closing down all the old technical schools. The combination of self-regulating trades, and limited education opportunities (apprenticeship or technical school) has led to a systemic shortage of qualified trades people. Various mining and construction booms certainly didn't help this at all.

If I had my time again I should have learnt a trade... 2 degrees and years of experience doesn't mean jack these days.


2) Very clever - I have little doubt that would have an interesting taxation position given what I know about you.

I'd suggest another reason for the shortage of tradespeople is the privatisation of organisations that used to take on large numbers of apprentices.

For example the SEC in Victoria used to train hundreds of apprentice electricians every year. They knew that they had to think of their future as well as ensuring that the community had well trained electricians.

Other employers who used to train large numbers of apprentices were the military and public transport organisations. Basically there are very few if any large employers taking on apprentices these days.

I mean classic apprenticeships for trades not those for service industries etc.

And Penegal is totally correct that the closure of technical schools was a part of the loss of knowledge about the importance of trades. IMHO it was a perfect storm of the closure of tech schools and the privatisation fad which has lead to the current situation.

 

[amaroo]

We were thinking of visiting Seville and Granada while we're over that way.

IMO....

Seville - gorgeous place....have given serious thought about moving there for a few years.

Granada - Alhambra is the drawcard here.....not much going on beyond that. Alhambra, is well worth seeing!